British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to expedite compensation for thousands of people affected by the infected blood scandal in the UK. The scandal, which occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, resulted in over 2,000 patients contracting HIV or hepatitis from tainted blood transfusions, leading to their deaths. Prime Minister Sunak made the commitment while testifying before an independent inquiry into the public healthcare scandal. However, he faced heckling from survivors and affected families when he failed to provide a clear timeline for full compensation payments.
The Infected Blood Inquiry was established in 2017 to investigate the infection of thousands of patients in the UK through contaminated blood products. This catastrophe, described as the worst treatment disaster in the history of Britain’s National Health Service, caused an estimated 2,400 to 2,900 deaths. The contaminated blood was linked to a clotting agent called Factor VIII, which was purchased from the US by British health services. Some of the plasma used in the blood products came from high-risk donors, including prison inmates who were paid for their blood samples.
During his testimony at the inquiry, Prime Minister Sunak acknowledged that successive governments had failed victims of this appalling scandal over the years, highlighting the suffering and impact still felt by individuals today. He expressed his understanding that justice had been denied for decades, with victims not receiving the recognition they deserve. In an attempt to provide relief, the government announced last year that survivors and bereaved partners of deceased victims would receive £100,000 ($129,000) in compensation.
In April, retired judge Brian Langstaff, the chairman of the inquiry, recommended expanding compensation to include more individuals whose lives were affected by the scandal, such as parents who lost their children. Prime Minister Sunak emphasized that the compensation plan would be reviewed after the inquiry’s full report is published, expected later this year.
The delays in compensation have further aggravated the suffering of those affected by the infected blood scandal, according to Clive Smith, chairman of the Haemophilia Society. Smith emphasized that people who have been waiting for justice for 40 years are eager to witness significant political will and expeditious action.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has committed to providing swift compensation to those impacted by the infected blood scandal in the UK. However, survivors and affected families expressed frustration over the lack of a clear timeline for the full payment of compensation. The scandal, which occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 patients who contracted HIV or hepatitis from contaminated blood transfusions. The inquiry into the public healthcare scandal aims to unearth the truth behind this devastating incident. Victims’ groups have waited decades for justice, with delays in compensation only adding to their suffering. The government’s compensation plan will be reassessed following the publication of the inquiry’s final report.
